Virginia Tech set a school and ACC record with 21 three-pointers in a 100-64 rout of Delaware State on Wednesday night in Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies improved to 5-0 overall with the win, while the Hornets dropped to 0-5. Tech will now head to Hawaii where they’ll take part in the Maui Invitational.
The Hokies got off to a slow start, but once they got rolling the Hornets had no answer. Four Tech players scored in double figures, led by freshman guard Nahiem Alleyne, who finished with a career-high 20 points. Freshman Jalen Cone had a career-high 17, sophomore Isiah Wilkins had 15, while redshirt freshman Landers Nolley had 10.
Virginia Tech was 35-of-62 (56.5%) from the field and 21-of-37 (56.8%) from three-point range. Alleyne drained a three-pointer with 3:53 remaining to help his team tie the school record of 18 three-pointers in a game, and then Wikins’ three-pointer with 2:21 left broke the record. The Hokies went on to add two more three-pointers, including one final shot from Wilkins with 27 seconds left to put them at an even 100 points for the game.
“Let’s be honest, we are who we are,” Mike Young said after the game. “I wish I had two big ones down there that I could throw the ball down to. We don’t get fouled enough. We don’t have the opportunity to throw it down to the block and see how we play it. That’s how I’m most comfortable playing. Live by [the three], die by [the three], I’ve got no choice. It’s who we are. Thankfully, we have a number of kids that handle the ball pretty well and pass the ball pretty well. We have a number of them that can shoot.”
The previous record for three-pointers in a game was 18 last year against Central Connecticut State. Tech’s 21 three-pointers was also an ACC record, breaking Florida State’s mark of 20 set way back in 2007 against Maine.
Junior point guard Wabissa Bede had 10 assists and no turnovers for the Hokies, while Wilkins has seven assists and no turnovers. As a team, the Hokies had 29 assists with 11 turnovers. Redshirt freshman guard Tyrece Radford continued his solid play with nine points and eight rebounds.
Bede in particular has impressed Mike Young.
“I don’t know that his court vision can improve, to be frank,” Young said. “He’s a young man that’s been around and has seen a number of plays. He knows how the thing is supposed to play out. He can see some things a step or two ahead of when they actually occur. He’s quicker, and the ball gets to where it needs to in a timely fashion. He’s playing great. Those are staggering numbers [40 assists, 8 turnovers for the season], but to be honest, I expected it out of him. He values the ball."
Virginia Tech will now head to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational, where they’ll face No. 3 Michigan State on Monday at 5pm Eastern. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN2. The Hokies will also play on Tuesday and Wednesday, though opponents and game times are to be determined.
As well as the Hokies have played for such a young team through the first five games of the season, Young knows that Michigan State and the field in Maui will be an entirely new kind of challenge.
“They’re unlike anything we have played up until this point, but the time has come. The time has come to play somebody really, really good. It will test everything we’ve done with them through this point in the season.”
Box Score
Game Notes from Virginia Tech
Record and Notables
- Virginia Tech improves to 5-0 on the season and is 1-0 in ACC play.
- Virginia Tech has now started the season off 5-0 for the second straight year. In 2018-2019 the Hokies started 5-0 before falling to Penn State 63-62 on the road.
- The Hokies broke the ACC record for most 3-pointers in a game with 21 on the night. Florida State previously held the record with 20 against Maine in 2007.
- This is the second-ever meeting between the two schools. Tech and Delaware State faced off on Dec. 31 in 1994. The Hokies won 68-53 in Blacksburg.
- UP NEXT: The Hokies will fly to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational Tournament to take on No. 3/3 Michigan State on Monday, Nov. 25 inside the Lahaina Civic Center.
Team Notes
- Virginia Tech used the starting lineup of Wabissa Bede, Tyrece Radford, P.J. Horne, Landers Nolley II and Nahiem Alleyne. This is the third straight game the Hokies have started these five out of the gate and it has resulted in three victories.
- KEY FIRST HALF RUN: With seven minutes to go in the first half, the Hokies led just 23-20. Sophomore Isaiah Wilkins drilled back-to-back triples to push the lead to 29-20 just like that. With only over four minutes left in the first half, freshman John Ojlako slammed it home, followed by a fastbreak 3-pointer from Jalen Cone extending the lead to 36-22. Tech closed the first half on a 21-7 run.
- KEY SECOND HALF RUN: Early in the second half, the Hokies hit five 3s over four minutes coming from Landers Nolley, Isaiah Wilkins, Nahiem Alleyne and Wabissa Bede. This scoring outburst from behind the arc would make the score 60-38. The Hokies never trailed in the second half.
- Nahiem Alleyne led Tech in scoring and notched a career-high 20 points.
- Tech scored 100 points for the first time this season. Tech last scored 100 points or more in the 2017-2018 season when it defeated Washington 103-79.
Individual Notes
- Jalen Cone notched his career high in points with 17 and his career high in 3s with five.
- Isaiah Wilkins recorded a season-high 15 points along with tying his career high in triples with five.
- Nahiem Alleyne nailed a career high five 3-pointers. Alleyne also recorded career highs in blocks with two and rebounds with four. Alleyne played 31 minutes.
- Wabissa Bede tallied 10 assists against Delaware State. Bede now has 40 assists through the first five games of the season.
- John Ojiako registered a career high in two categories with nine points and seven rebounds.